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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BO02 Publication ID: 2026 
Title: ●Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery Management Plan – Limited Entry Fixed Gear Actions 
Abstract:

In accordance with a recommendation from the Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) at their June 2025 meeting, and under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Region proposes to implement the following limited entry fixed gear (LEFG) actions. Specifically, NMFS proposes to: (1) Create a single limited entry non-trawl endorsed permit. Vessels registered to a permit with this endorsement would be permitted to use any legal non-trawl groundfish gear, except entangling nets, to harvest their quota. (2) Remove the base permit designation and associated regulations at 50 CFR 660.25(b)(3)(iii)(C). (3) Remove the start and end times (i.e., hours of the day) in groundfish regulations for the dates on which the sablefish primary season opens and closes. (4) Develop a cost recovery program for the limited entry fixed gear tier program in which the vessel owner or authorized representative pays the cost recovery fee. The purpose of these actions is to increase flexibility and opportunity for LEFG participants, while reducing administrative burdens. This action is also needed to develop a cost recovery program to meet the Magnuson-Stevens Act requirements for limited access privilege programs.

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Not subject to, not significant 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 660   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1801   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  07/00/2026 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: YES  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes 
Agency Contact:
Jennifer Quan
Regional Administrator - West Coast Region
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
DC 20230
Phone:562 980-4001
Email: jennifer.quan@noaa.gov